At a time when visible and invisible homelessness has been on the rise, alongside incidents of abusive and demeaning behaviour towards those experiencing it, the game is designed to raise awareness and encourage empathy. It aims to challenge stereotypes and develop understanding of the many reasons that people find themselves in this situation, and to foster knowledge of the various support mechanisms that exist in the city.

During the game, players try to gather resources, collect coins, and make it through real-world scenarios such as bereavement, addiction, abusive relationships and severe weather in order to get the key to their very own home. Along the way, players are invited to share their views and advice on ways forward - both for those experiencing homelessness, or those who want to help.

‘Homeless Monopoly’ is available as a table-top board game and also as a giant life-size version. To date, the game has been played by pupils from Howes Primary and Cardinal Newman Schools; students from Coventry University, CU Online and the University of Warwick; and staff from Coventry City Council. It featured as part of the Coventry UK City of Culture HOME: Arts and Homelessness festival in October 2021, and was played during the Coventry Cathedral Sleep Out, the Arts and Homelessness Summit at the Methodist Central Hall, and the Family Fun Day held outside the Belgrade Theatre. It was also part of the Lord Mayor’s Peace Committee Education Conference held at Coventry Cathedral in November 2021, and Rugby School’s 'Festival on the Close' in June 2022. ‘Homeless Monopoly’ won joint first prize for a Game in Development at the European Conference of Game-Based Learning (held in Denmark in October 2019).